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Wednesday, November 22, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Of a certain age...
By Sue Stafford, Columnist
The weak winter sun on this late November
afternoon provides no warmth on my north-
facing deck. The remains of earlier snow
have formed a thin crust of ice on the wooden
boards. The yard, recently cleared of the last
of autumn’s leaves and faded perennials, is
clean and spare, ready for winter’s quiet sea-
son of sleep in the garden.
Visitation at the backyard feeders is con-
tinual: blue jays, juncos, flickers, what I call
“snowbirds,” and the agile gray squirrels,
switching their sassy tails, daring anyone to
challenge their collecting of coveted sun-
flower seeds.
What a simple pleasure — watching nature
going about its daily routine — living in the
moment, not filled with regrets of yesterday or
anxiety for tomorrow. Mother Nature is a wise
teacher and I an eager student, when I take the
time to slow down and pay attention.
This has seemed to be an overly full fall
with many meetings, interviews, numerous
writing assignments, and the exciting begin-
nings of the Three Sisters Historical Society,
a new endeavor undertaken with four other
women who call Sisters home.
Today, for whatever reason, my attention
has wandered from the tasks at hand inside to
the natural world outside my window. Perhaps
it’s the change of routine while I dog-sit my
son’s Labrador for 12 days, requiring three or
four walks a day. This afternoon we flushed
out a covey of quail, passed a doe and her
fawn who stood in statue silence, and wan-
dered along the edge of the creek.
Whatever the impetus, my eyes and atten-
tion keep getting drawn beyond the inside
warmth, to perhaps the main reason I am so
thankful to be living here in Sisters.
The abundance of beautiful scenery, sun-
filled days, and plentiful wildlife all close at
hand buoy my spirit every day. I will never
tire of viewing our majestic snow-covered
sentinels — Faith, Hope and Charity. The
crystal waters of Whychus Creek flow past
my backyard. My front yard and neighbor-
hood are populated with the rich green of
towering ponderosa pine. The smell of sage
and juniper wafts on the clean Central Oregon
breeze following a welcome summer rain.
The hushed beauty of a crystalline snowfall
blankets the high desert in winter silence. And
the arrival of each spring, so eagerly awaited
after the long chill, bursts forth with fresh
green vegetation, wild babies, spring runoff,
and the fecund promise of another plentiful
summer.
As my time on this fragile planet grows
shorter, I feel compelled to soak up all the
unique beauty offered by each season. As
Thanksgiving approaches for the 73rd time
in my life, I am filled with a deep appre-
ciation and reverence for all the seasons of
nature and my life with which I have been
gifted — a carefree childhood spent play-
ing in the woods, the wonder of birth and
motherhood, opportunities to learn and grow
and give, and chances to try again and do
better.
Life can only be lived forwards but it is in
hindsight that our blessings become so clear.
As I look back over this past year, I am thank-
ful for the opportunities to teach and learn,
give and receive, love and be loved, live and
let live.
May all our hearts be full of gratitude and
love this and every day. Thanksgiving bless-
ings to one and all.
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The Belfry Holiday Art Bazaar Extravaganza
Get ready to deck your halls and make doz-
ens of checkmarks on your Christmas list at
The Belfry Holiday Art Bazaar Extravaganza.
The arts and crafts extravaganza will
fill The Belfry (corner of Main Avenue
and Spruce Street) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, December 3. Favorite local vendors
will be offering everything from paintings
and cards to jewelry and pottery as the tunes
of a variety of local musicians fill the air.
Vendors such as Ballokai; Cascade Lavender;
Dennis McGregor; Kimry Jelen; La Petite Savonnerie; Lidia’s Chocolates; Paul
Bennet; Wendy Vernon Designs; Black Butte School wreaths and more will all be gathered
together in one place for convenient and delightful local shopping.
Get your holiday wreath and Christmas tree outside while supporting the Sisters High
School choir and jazz band, who will also be performing live at the event.